Access at West Yorkshire Playhouse

We have a range of facilities to meet people’s requirements including disabled parking at the front of the building and level access, Braille signs and lifts inside the building. Guide dogs and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf are very welcome.

To find out more about how West Yorkshire Playhouse provides a Welcome that’s available to everyone download Open to Everyone, in word format, created in association with Mind the Gap theatre company.

What is a captioned performance?Open captioning allows theatre goers with varying degrees of hearing to view the full text as it is spoken or sung, including sound effects and off stage noises. These appear on a scrolling screen, positioned on or at the side of the stage.Who is it for?Captioning can be helpful to those who use English as a second language and for most audiences when interpreting difficult dialects within shows, as well as deaf and hard of hearing audiences. To use this service book your seats through Box Office and they will advise you on the best seating to view the caption units.

Audio Described

What is an audio described performance?Audio Described performances are designed to improve the experience of visually impaired and blind attendees. As well as listening to the dialogue on stage the customer can wear a headset and listen to a live description of the action on stage. The description only happens in between dialogue and supplements the voices of the performers in explaining the emotions and action of each scene.How do I use it?To use this service simply ask Box Office to book you a headset when you book your tickets for any of our Audio Described shows. We also offer customers a touch tour which takes place on set before the show and includes being able to touch props and costumes.

British Sign Language Interpreted

What is a BSL interpreted performance?A Signed performance is the usual full production with the addition of a British Sign Language Interpreter who stands on the stage interpreting the show for Deaf attendees.How do I use it?If you wish to use this service please let the Box Office know and they will advise you on thebest seating to view the Interpreter or take your details and let you know at the beginning of the show run.

Relaxed Performance

What is a relaxed performance?A relaxed performance is a specially selected show from our programme, with slight adaptations to make it suitable for an audience of young people or adults with learning disabilities. This may include extra lighting, additional wheelchair spaces and the freedom to move to alternative seating if required. A relaxed performance always includes a relaxed attitude to noise (voluntary and involuntary) in the auditorium.How do I use it?All bookings are taken direct through Box Office where access requirements can be discussed at the time of booking.

Dementia-Friendly Performance

What is a dementia-friendly performance?Our first dementia-friendly performance (White Christmas) will take place in December 2014. We are working with groups and individuals living with dementia to make this event as accessible as possible, with adaptations to technical aspects of the show, flexible seating options and a relaxed attitude to audience responses and movement in the auditorium. In our front of house space we will have a quiet room, clearer visual markers and signage, and additional staff and volunteers trained to sensitively and respectfully welcome people living with dementia and their supporters to this show.How do I use it?You can register your interest in this show by emailing nicky.taylor@wyp.org.ukWhen tickets go on sale, all bookings will be taken direct through Box Office (not online) where access requirements can be discussed at the time of booking